Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol and its active compound, chlorogenic acid, stimulate 2-NBDglucose uptake in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant 3T3 adipocytes.
BACKGROUND
Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol (Cecropiaceae) is a plant extensively used for the empirical treatment of type 2 diabetes in México. Although some of its hypoglycemic principles have been described, their mechanisms of action remain unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the anti-diabetic mechanisms of Cecropia obtusifolia aqueous extract (CAE) and its active compound chlorogenic acid (CGA).


METHODS
Non-toxic concentrations of CAE and CGA were assayed on the adipogenesis and 2-NBDglucose uptake in 3T3-F442A murine adipocytes.


RESULTS
Added to adipogenic medium, CAE 70 microg/ml induced a modest increment (20%) in 3T3 adipogenesis whereas CGA did not affect adipogenesis at any of the tested concentrations (0.1-100 microM). Both preparations stimulated 2-NBDG uptake in adipocytes by 51% (CAE) and 176% (CGA) in the absence of insulin, and by 174% (CAE) and 404% (CGA) in the presence of the hormone. CAE and CGA also stimulated the 2-NBDG uptake in insulin-resistant 3T3 adipocytes by 35% and 141%, respectively, compared with the incorporation shown by insulin-sensitive adipocytes stimulated by the hormone. The potency of CGA to stimulate 2-NBDG uptake was comparable to the anti-diabetic drug rosiglitazone.


CONCLUSIONS
Cecropia obtusifolia and CGA exert their anti-diabetic effects stimulating glucose uptake in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant adipocytes without appreciable pro-adipogenic effects.
Alonso-Castro
Angel Josabad
AJ
Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Biología Molecular, San Luis Potosí, SLP, México.
Miranda-Torres
Ana Cristina
AC
González-Chávez
Marco Martín
MM
Salazar-Olivo
Luis A
LA
D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D035702:Cecropia Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003847:Deoxyglucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008800:Mexico; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000737:chemistry
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid; D003847:Deoxyglucose; D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan; C098340:2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose